SOS: Apr 2010

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010

1/40Skills on Site April 2010 1

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010

2/402 Skills on Site April 2010

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010

3/40Skills on Site April 2010

April 2010Contents

CopyrightAll rights reserved. No editorial matter published in Skills On Site may be reproduced in any form or language without written permission

of the publishers. While every effort is made to ensure accurate reproduction, the editor, authors, publishers and their employees or agents

shall not be responsible or in any way liable for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in the publication - whether arising from negligence or

otherwise or for any consequences arising therefrom. The inclusion or exclusion of any product does not mean that the publisher or editorial

board advocates or rejects its use either generally or in any particular eld or elds.

COVER STORY

4 Celebrating Milestones

pAVING

7 Cleaning paving Before Hand-over

9 paving the Way

14 paving With Concrete Blocks

CARpENTRY

16 perfect Doors

18 LEADING INFO

SUCCESS

19 Business is Swinging

FINDING FINANCE

22 Finance for the peole

CEILINGS

23 Ceilings for Single-itch Roofs

BUILDING SUppIES

25 Order Sulies in 5 Stes

26 polycarbonate Roof Sheeting

WATERpROOFING

27 Dam is Big Trouble for Builders

SITE CLEARING

29 Hiring the Right Machines for Site Clearing

7

21

Promech Publishing has a BEE

rating of 97.2%

Proprietor and Publisher:

PROMECH PUBLISHINGTel: (011) 781-1401

Fax: (011) 781-1403

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.promech.co.za

Printed by:

Typo Colour Printing

Tel: (011) 402-3468

The Skills On Site team - Top: Susan Custers, publisher; Zinobia Docrat, production;

Raymond Campling, editor. Seated: Debbie Pienaar, advertising sales; Catherine

Macdiva, administration; Jackie Nene, subscriptions/circulation.

AcknowledgementsIn order to bring you the most up-to-date infor-

mation from around the globe, we make use of

Internet websites that are current and provide

information that is relevant to local builders.

Information from the following sites has been

included in this issue: WikiHow www.wikihow.

com, Stock.Xchange www.sxc.hu

25

38

33 WIN A pRIzE

IN TOUCH

34 Green-School Launched

38 Schooling Our Children

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


COVER STORY

CelebratingMilestones

Union BuildingsUnisa building Parliament Building Koeberg Power Station Van Stadens Bridge Loftus Versfeld

Loftus Versfeld stadium

Established in 1892, with a factory in Pretoria,the company supplied cement to build many

of the countrys landmarks. Through chang-ing times and landscapes, the company

has maintained

its leadership positionwithin the building indus-

try and although brandsand packaging havechanged, the formula

to provide builders withthe best quality cementfor every occasion never

has.

This year, the company

celebrates its 100th an-niversary on the Johannes-

burg Stock Exchange (JSE).

We look back at the milestonesreached along the way. PPC can

truly celebrate the role it has playedin building our nation.

12 decades of milestones1888 - Edouard Lippert gets permission from PaulKruger, President of the Transvaal Republic, and the

Volksraad to set up a local cement factory on theoutskirts of Pretoria, which was to become PPC.

1890 - President Paul Kruger formally opened thecement factory outside Pretoria named Hercules,

which still exists today.1892 - The Eerste Cement Fabrieken Beperkt is regis-tered as the company to operate the factory.

1902 - The Eerste Cement Fabrieken changes its nameto The First Portland Cement Company.

1908 - TheFirst Portland

Cement Compa-

ny changes its nameto the Pretoria Portland

Cement Company Limited and

declares its rst dividend. The com-pany has not failed to pay a dividend since.

1910 - Eighteen years after its inception, PPC is listedon the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

1916 - PPCs new Slurry factory in the North WestProvince produces its rst cement.

1921 - PPC establishes the Cape Portland CementCompany and builds a factory at De Hoek.

1927 - PPC oats the Eastern Province Cement Com-pany and builds a cement factory on the outskirts ofPort Elizabeth.

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


COVER STORY

Then and nowConceived in 1888, during the early gold rush

days on the Witwatersrand, the growth anddevelopment of both PPC and the JSE weremarked by many memorable periods of cop-

ing with major internal and external inuences including two world recessions, two WorldWars and a great deal of national political

turmoil leading to democracy in 1994.

Today, 118 years after its inception, PPC Ce-

ment has eight manufacturing plants andthree milling depots in South Africa, Botswana

and Zimbabwe. Together, these facilities arecapable of producing almost eight-million tonsof cement products a year. Related products

include aggregates from the companysGauteng and Botswana quarries.

PPC Lime is southern Africas foremost supplierof metallurgical-grade lime, burnt dolomite,limestone and related products. The companys

Lime Acres operation in the Northern Cape isone of the largest lime plants in the world.

2006 - PPC becomes a constituent on the JSE SociallyResponsible Investment Index.

2007- PPC is ofcially unbundled from Barloworldhaving become a subsidiary in 1977.

2009 - PPC establishes its Broad Based Black EconomicEmpowerment transaction which directly benetsapproximately 3,5 million people in South Africa, the

majority of whom are black.

2010 - PPC celebrates its 100-year listing on the

JSE.

Pretoria Portland Cement, Paul Stuiver, Tel: (011) 386 9000

1937 - PPCs Jupiter factory in Germiston producesits rst cement.

1946 - PPC purchases property in the Western Cape,which will eventually become the Riebeeck opera-

tion.

1949 - PPC commissions its new factory in Orkney.

1956 - PPC begins the planning and construction ofthe Riebeeck cement factory.

1958 - The Slurry operation converts from the wet-process to the more efcient and cost effective dry

mix system.

1960 - The Riebeeck cement factory at Riebeek West

is commissioned.

1977 - PPC becomes a subsidiary of the Barlow RandGroup. The Cape Portland Cement Co with its De

Hoek and Riebeeck works becomes a full subsidiary ofPPC and the company diversies into the l ime industry

with the acquisition of the Northern Lime Company,which was started in 1907.

1984 - PPCs new Dwaalboom cement plant is com-

pleted but mothballed due to recession.

1992 - PPC celebrates its centenary year with many

commemorative projects for staff and communitiesthroughout the country.

1996 - PPC launches SureBuild, the rst brandedgeneral purpose cement on the market.

1998- The mothballed Dwaalboom plant is com-missioned and hailed as the most technologically

advanced cement plant in SA. The Kambuku way

of life is introduced and enthusiastically embracedby PPC.

2001 - PPC acquires ownership of Unicem, Zimbabwestop cement company.

2002 - PPCs Annual Achiever Awards function isintroduced.

2003 - PPC is included in the FTSE/JSETop 40 Companies index. PPC enters

Deloittes Best Company to Work

For awards for the rst time andgoes on to win the manufacturingcategory, as well as making it into

the top ten overall, for the next veconsecutive years.

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


In the last 118 years the Pretoria Portland Cement

Company has grown from strength to strength,

not only through our cement, aggregates and lime

production, or all the South African landmarks

weve helped build from the ground up, but also

by our commitment to building the history and

lives of our employees, our shareholders, and of

course, all South Africans.

Weve never forgotten that its the people that

make us strong, and thats why, in 1998 we

adopted the Kambuku philosophy, a Tsongaword for Great Tusker, meaning tenacity and

loyalty, attributes all our employees embrace as

an integral part of who we are. PPC has also

transformed with our country, and is proud to be

rated a level 3 BBBEE contributor a truly South

African Company.

Its not every day that a company reaches

100 years listed on the Johannesburg Stock

Exchange and for this, we would like to thank

all our stakeholders, over all these years, who

have travelled this road with us. We ask that you

join us in celebrating this amazing feat and lookforward to many more years of prosperity.

Our heritage is our strength

CELEBRATING A CENTURY

ON THE JSE

1910 2010

TJDR40969

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


PAVING

When paving is installed while constructionis still taking place around it, contractors

should use the following techniques toensure the paving looks good whenthe handover takes place.

David provides the following tips and tricks to keeppaving in tip-top shape:

General cleaningRegular hosing and sweeping will keep your pavinglooking clean. To remove general dirt and debris, you

should hose down your paving and sweep it with ahard bristled outdoor broom regularly. If the paving

is soiled, scrub the area with a general purpose, pHneutral/slightly alkaline, non-abrasive cleaner, using

a hard bristled brush or broom together with someelbow grease.

WeedsIt is a common misconception that weeds growthough the paving, says David. This does occur in

rare cases; however, weeds almost always grow fromseeds and bird droppings that land in the jointing

sand and are left undisturbed to germinate. Regularhosing and sweeping of the paved area wil l preventweeds from taking root. Alternatively, treat the pav-

ing with a general-purpose organic weed killer twoor three times a year.

CleaningPaving

Before

Hand-overThere is no such thing as maintenance-free paving. David Wertheim Aymes, CEO of the Bosun Group, says

that a well-planned cleaning and maintenance programme is the only way to ensure that the overall appear-

ance of your paving will be enhanced.

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


Stain removal and spot treatmentsFirstly, it is important to eliminate the source of thestaining. Most stains can be removed by scrubbingthe area with hot soapy water, but if they are par-

ticularly stubborn stains, cleaning the area with anacid-based cleaner may be required.

However David cautions that acid-based cleanersshould only be used on the stained area and not as ageneral cleaning solution. He also advises that acid-

based cleaning be undertaken by a professional.

Paving maintenancePaving should be inspected four times a year to checkfor any loose, damaged or stained paving and to

ensure that the jointing material is intact. Shouldyou discover loose paving, it is important to rectifythe cause of the movement, says David. No matter

what the cause, it needs to be investigated and xedbefore replacing or re-bedding the paving units.

David says that individual blocks of the damagedor stained paving can easily be replaced. Jointing

material in newly-laid paving may be lost from earlyon because the joints have not yet become stabilised

naturally or chemically. It is therefore important to

inspect areas of new paving regularly in their earlylife and top up joints if necessary, says David. If the

jointing material is no longer intact, the pavers simplyneed to be topped with jointing sand by brushingor sweeping in dry jointing sand as required.

Sealing of block pavingAny form of surface sealing used on the paving

must be applied in strict accordance with the

manufacturers instructions; however David warnsthat sealants may have an effect on the colour ofthe paving. In addition, he says that its slip/skid re-sistance may require on-going maintenance during

the life of the paving. It is also important that thesurface of the units is dry, clean and eforescence-free before any sealer is applied, he says.

EfflorescenceEforescence is a whitish lm that becomes visibleon the surface of the pavers.

It consists mainly of insoluble calcium carbonate(CaCO2) and should be seen as a passing nuisance,says David. This white haze is a natural phenomenon

that occurs in all concrete products as it is a naturalby-product of all hardened concrete.

While eforescence will fade over time, it can alsobe reduced and in some instances removed by using

diluted hydrochloric acid. Once again, this shouldrather be undertaken by a professional.

Keeping paving well maintained through regularcleaning and checks for problem areas will preventthe likelihood of some sections, or even the entire

paved area, from needing to be replaced.

Bosun Bricks, Tel: 0860 267 862, Web: www.bosun.co.za

PAVING

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


Whether paving a walkway or a road with concrete,

clay bricks, or blocks, a number of basic principles

should be kept, in order to ensure the paving stays

in place and stays looking good for many years. With

these easy-to-follow instructions, it is possible to

manually pave roads, driveways or walkways.

M

ake a plan

A good plan is essential to a successful

paving project. Think about where youwant your path, driveway, or patio, and

then use graph paper to make a drawing of the im-mediate area. Youll have to play around with yourdesign a bit, so be sure to use a pencil and keep your

drawing neat. Your project will need to have adequatedrainage if you want it to be safe and long lasting.Youll also want to make sure that it slopes away from

your house and other structures. To ensure adequatedrainage, you should have a good slope.

Even simple paving projects can look good. Youcan do a lot more with pavers, though, so consider

making patterns or unusual shapes.

Order your materials. You have a lot of choicesin the pavers you use. Most are brick or con-crete and prices vary from supplier to supplier.At your local builders supply store, you can nd a

style that is easy to lay and that ts your budget.

You can safely calculate how many pavers you needby simply measuring the area and adding 5 percent.If your design has a lot of curves, buy an extra 10%

over your required amount. You should order extrabecause youll almost certainly end up having to cutsome of the pavers to get the right t.

Outline the project area. Use string to outline yourproject. Drive stakes to hold the outline in place and

to make clean corners.

Scope your slope. To avoid water pooling on yourpavers, they should be slightly above the surface of

Paving the Way

PAVING

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


the surrounding ground at all points. When planningthe slope, begin at the highest point.

Drive a stake at the high point, and mark the correctheight where the pavers will meet the joining structure.

Tie a string around the stake at that height.

Drive a stake (if there isnt already one) at the outer

boundary of your project. This will be your lowest point.Attach a line level to your string and then tie the looseend of the string around the stake at the height at

which the line level tells you the entire string is level.Now, from that line move down the stake at least 1/8

per metre (eg , if it is 8 metres from the front door tothe outer edge of the road, move down the stake 1metre), and draw a new line. Move your string down

to this line. String cross-lines down the length of theproject to ensure you mark the correct depth across

the entire project.Measure the depth of your excavation frequently.Measure from the line, not from the surface of the

ground.

Excavate the installation area. Spaces which will beexposed only to foot trafc generally need 10 15cm

of base material, while driveways need as much as30cm and roads still more. Figure out how deep yourbase will need to be (consult the manufacturer or

your building supply store). The sum of the depth ofthe base, the sand, and the pavers will be how deepyou need to excavate your project area. Be sure to

excavate 30cm past the edge of the project to giveyou space to install edging concrete.

Measure the depth of your excavation from the stringyou used to track your slope, not from the surface ofthe ground. Once youve nished excavating, use a

plate compactor to compact the base.

Lay the base. The base material is usually coarse,crushed stone with sharp irregular edges. Add no

more than 5cm at a time to the entire excavatedarea, and then compact it with a hand compactor(for very small projects) or a plate compactor (for

larger ones). It is important that the base be well-com-pacted and thereafter, each layer in turn. Repeat thisprocess until you have a base of the correct depth.

TipsIf you are working in sandy soil, you may mixPortland cement into the soil as a base. Do this

only if youre installing a walkway or patio thatwill receive only foot trafc.

Clay soil can move over time and you can add

stability to your project by covering the bottom andsides of the excavation with a weatherproof fabric

or plastic layer before you add your base.

Spray your base gravel lightly with water to

moisten it. This will make it easier to compactthe base correctly.

Things youll need

Paving stones (pavers)

Base material, coarse gravel, cement etc.

Sand

Spirit level

String, stakes, and a level

Measuring tape

Graph paper and pencil

Plate compactor or tamper

Screed boards

Masonry saw or guillotine-style stone cutter

Eye protection

PAVING

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


the sand. Do not slide them along the ground or kickthem into place and disturb the sand. Slide each

paver straight down the edge of the adjacent paver.Dont worry about gaps: you generally want to leavea gap between pavers. From time to time, check to

make sure the pavers are level, and use a string tocheck each row for straightness.

You might need to cut some pavers to t the edges.Dont try to curve your pavers to t the edging. In-stead, lay all the whole pavers you can in each row

and then go back and cut pavers to the correct sizes

to t the edge. Use a masonry saw or a guillotine-stylesplitter to make good, clean cuts.

Do not step on your prepared sand. Stand on the

pavers you have already installed and work yourway out. Dont get too close to the edge of the pav-ers youve installed, or you might disturb the sand in

front of them.

Use a plate compactor to tamp the pavers intothe sand. Once all the pavers are installed, run theplate compactor over them to ensure they are snug-

gly pressed into the sand.

PAVING

Now is your last chance to properly adjust the heightof the nished project and to ensure you dont haveany dips or bumps. Slightly increase or decrease the

thickness of the base as necessary, taking frequentmeasurements from your strings to the base. Laying

the base outside the boundaries of the project willmake your project more stable.

Temporarily edge the paving with bricks or wood

planks and secure them with spikes. Concrete theedges as required. Concrete or brick edges will help

hold the shape of your project over the years.

Put down a layer of sand. The sand is the gluethat holds your pavers in place. Use coarse sandand screed it smooth to a uniform depth of about

3 - 4 cm. If your project is big, lay down planks andthen pour the sand in between, screeding the sandin small sections. Remove the planks and then ll in

the gaps with more sand.

Lay the pavers. Begin laying pavers at a 90 corner,preferably one that joins another structure. Workoutwards from there, keeping your pavers in straight

lines. Lay pavers by placing them straight down in

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


Sweep sand into the joints. Fill the joints betweenpavers with coarse sand like you used earlier, or useslightly ner sand. Pour it onto the pavers and sweep

it into the cracks until they are completely lled. Thissand locks the pavers in place. Make sure the sand

is dry.

PAVING

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


But, it is the unfortunate customer who pays

the price when things go wrong, especiallyfurther down the line when the contractorhas gone bankrupt and moved into swim-

ming pool construction. The unlucky clientmust then look for a competent professional to re-lay

the entire installation.

Strict specificationsThere is much more to paving than meets the eyeand what may look acceptable or even logical isoften the opposite of good paving practice. It was

with this in mind that the Concrete ManufacturersAssociation (CMA) laid down strict standard speci-cations on what a paved surface should be and

how it should be built. Attention to detail and properpreparation of the substrate material are very impor-

tant; so are choosing the right people and suitablepaving materials.

How then do you ensure that your chosen sub-con-

tractor can deliver? The preferred route is to use aCMA-approved contractor whose work is based on

CMA paving standards. It is also guaranteed, bothby the contractor and the CMA. In the unlikely eventof a problem arising, CMA-approved contractors are

obliged to make good at their own expense.

The right sub-contractorCMA director, Hamish Laing, cautions further thatchoosing the right sub-contractor can still result in

failure if the paving stones are not up to standard.

Here again, the best course is to source concreteblock pavers (CBP) from a CMA manufacturer. An ap-

proved contractor will do this automatically providingthe customer asks him to supply the pavers.

Good workmanship using a poor quality product will

result in unhappiness further down the line, and vice

versa, poor quality workmanship with an approvedconcrete paver will produce the same result. Only acombination of high quality CBPs and workmanshipof a high standard will achieve the desired result a

surface which provides decades of maintenance-free use.

Attention to detailAs in any professional installation, attention to detail iscrucial to competent paving. For instance, a problem

which occurs with regularity, especially in domesticinstallations, is untidy edge restraints. These should be

kept below the paving surface so that they are not

visible, as is so often the case.

Another misplaced belief is that plastic sheetingplaced under pavers will prevent weed growth. Itdoesnt. Seeds are blown into the spaces between

blocks from the top and grow whether there is plasticsheeting or not.

Plastic sheeting problemsPlastic sheeting also breaks the bond between thebedding sand layer and the base soil . This can cause

what is known as creep i.e. horizontal movement ofpaving sections, especially if the installation is situated

on a slope. Sheeting can also act as a dam when itrains, which causes saturation of the bedding sandand pumping of the pavers, both of which lead to

failure of the installation, advises Laing.

A revised paving block standard, SANS 1058, incorporat-

A driveway where

proper paving

technique and

attention to detail

have been used

PAVING

Anyone with a bakkie, a set of tools and a group of

enthusiastic workers can set up shop as a paving

contractor. True. Paving is one of those jobs where

there are no qualification requirements. You simply

pick up the trade as you go along, or so the story

goes.

Paving WithConcrete Blocks

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


ing a new methodof strength test-

ing and a newabrasion test for

concrete blockpavers, is closeto nalisation and

should be passedby the South Af-rican Bureau of

Standards (SABS)later this year.

All the CMAsinformation onproper paving

techniques canbe downloaded

free of chargefrom the CMAswebsite, www.

cma.org.za . Sim-ply click on pub-lications and fol-

low the prompts.Alternatively, it is

available from theCMA.

An example of how not to install paving blocks. Placing plastic sheeting between the pavers and sand leads to saturation

of the bedding sand and pumping of the pavers

PAVING

Concrete Manufacturers Association, Pam Zukor, Tel: (011) 805-6742, Email: [email protected]. CMA contractors can be found on the

CMAs website www.cma.org.za by clicking on members and following the prompts

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


PerfectDoors

CAPENTRY

When hanging a door, it is important

that you get it right so that the door tsproperly. Use the following steps to hangwooden doors.

Measure the door openingUsing a tape measure, measure the height and width of

the door opening. Write the measurements down.

Purchase a doorThe door should be slightly smaller than the nishedopening to allow a space for closing the door. Thereis also room to buy a door that is a little bigger, as

you will be trimming it.

Mark the door for

trimmingUse a pencil to applythe measurements.Generally, allow

for a 2mm spacebetween the doorand the top and

sides. The bottomof the door should

be 6-12mm up fromthe oor (considerwhether the door is

going to have to goover carpet or tiles). Ifyour measurements

were 1992mm highand 768mm wide,

for example, markthe door so thatits 1984mm tall

(1992mm minus 2mmfor the top and 6mmfor the bottom) and

764mm wide (768mmminus 2mm for each

side).

Trim the door

Saw or plane up tothe pencil marks,then sand the edges

until they are smooth.Keep in mind thatyoure better off trim-

ming too little ratherthan too much. With

shallow wedges un-derneath the doorand someone else

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


CAPENTRY

Cut hinge recesses (mortises)Use a chisel to make shallow recesses, called

mortises, in the door, within the pencil marks. Stripaway the extra wood and trim the recess until the

hinge is ush with the wood. Be careful - if you chiselout too much, it will be very hard to x.

Drill pilot holesWith each hinge ap in its mortise, mark thescrew positions with a pencil. Remove the

hinges and use a drill bit that is slightly narrowerthan your screws to drill pilot holes where they

are marked by the pencil. To centre the pi lotholes perfectly, use a special bit called a vixbit, available at any hardware store or home

centre. When using a vix bit, drill through thehinges screw holes with the hinge in its properlocation on the door. Keep the bit perpen-

dicular to the door.

Screw on the hingesThis is best done with a drill, but can also be donewith a screwdriver if necessary.

Mark the hinge positions on

the framePlace objects such as screwdrivers

or shallow wedges at the bottom ofthe doorway. Have somebody holdthe door in the frame in exactly the

position that you want it to hang.The hinge knuckles should be paral-

lel with the frame. Draw around thehinges with a pencil. After carefullyputting the door aside, cut mortises

in the door frame in the same waythat you did on the door itself. Holdthe door against the frame again

to test the placement and makesure the hinges are ush. Mark pilot

holes on the frame with a pencil andthen drill through these marks in thesame way you did for the door. Put

the screws through the pilot holes tofasten the hinges on the frame.

Easy tips When using the plane, avoidchipping off the corners of the door

by working inwards from each edgetowards the centre.

Only put one screw in each hinge to begin with soyou can test that the door closes easily in the frame. If

you are happy, then screw in the remaining screws.

Add a door stop if you are concerned about thedoor bumping into, and marking, the wall behind it.

There are many different types of doorstops.

Information from www.wikihow.com

to help you, hold it up, place the door in the frameand see if it ts properly. If it doesnt, you will need to

trim again until the t is perfect.

FittingDetermine in which direction the door will open. Thedoor should open in to the room and hinge place-

ment should be such that the light switch is acces-sible on the side opposite the hinges. If, as you enterthe room, the light switch is inside on the wall to yourright, then the hinges should be on the left, so that

as you push the door open to enter the room, theswitch is immediately accessible on the knob side

of the door.

Place the door on its side with the hinge side upwards.

Measure and mark 15cm from the top and bottomof the door. This mark represents the bottom of thehinge at the bottom of the door, and the top of the

hinge at the top.

Open a hinge and place it on the door in line withthe mark you have just made. Draw around it with apencil. Repeat this for the other hinge.

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


These statistics are provided exclusively for Skills on Site readers by Databuild, the leading provider of construc-

tion related information in South Africa. Databuild has been providing information for thirty five years and tracks

projects from planning through to awarded stages. Each month Databuild will provide statistics reflecting trends

in the industry. For more information about Databuild please contact us on (011) 259-4500 or visit us at

www.databuild.co.za

LEADING INFO

Number of projects awarded by province - March 2010

Province Total Number of Projects

Eastern Cape 47

Free State 16

Gauteng 51

KwaZulu Natal 59

Limpopo 28

Mpumalanga 37

North West 17

Northern Cape 7

Western Cape 158

Grand Total 420

CIDB GRADING CIDB

Grade 1

Value in

Rmillion

CIDB

Grade 2

Value in

Rmillion

CIDB

Grade 3

Value in

Rmillion

CIDB

Grade 4

Value in

Rmillion

CIDB

Grade 5

Value in

Rmillion

CIDB

Grade 6

Value in

Rmillion

Eastern Cape 6 2.84 8 9.6 10 26.1 6 35.1 6 38.38

Free State 1 3 2 4.5 4 20.8 4 34.3

Gauteng 10 8.98 4 7.4 8 34.3 6 42.7 2 13.1

KwaZulu Natal 1 0.25 3 2.79 7 8.25 15 42.69 1 0.8 8 70.6

Limpopo 1 3 6 7 21 5 14.7 6 42

Mpumalanga 7 6.15 10 22.59 7 18.3 5 20.8 1 11

North West 1 2.2 2 2.2 5 18.7 1 5 4 18

Northern Cape 1 0.5 2 2.3 3 17.5

Western Cape 2 0.2 24 9.38 31 31.86 17 44.73 10 50.7 6 56.4

Total value per

grading in

R millions

3 0.45 54 35.84 67 90.2 74 227.82 38 190.6 37 283.78

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


Light side of a dark momentDespite the seriousness of the struggle Chris stills

laughs when he remembers a youthful mistakethat cost him 9-months in prison following the

1976 uprising.

As a teenaged activist I was targeted by the po-

lice and arrested. But, being young and thinkingI was clever and outsmarting the system, I gavethe wrong name at the time of my arrest.

After spending many months behind bars at Fortand Modderbee prisons I was eventually released

when my parents nally tracked me down. It turnsout that when they found out I had been jailedthey went to bail me out, but couldnt nd me.

Had I given the right name they would have beenable to set me free much sooner, he recalls.

SUCCESS

T

hat is how Chris Jiyane, business developmentand transformation director of LTA Grinaker

Buildings life has turned out. He is living hisdream. He has achieved almost everythingthat he strived for as a young man and as

his ambitions are realised he goes on to develop newambitions for himself, his company, builders and thecountry.

He has achieved a lot in a fairly short space of time.His hard work, will to succeed and his determination

has taken him to the top of his career as a servingboard member of one of the countrys biggest con-

struction companies. Yet he remains humble andholds on to the traditional values he was taught byhis parents and grandmother while growing up as a

dreamer in Soweto.

Where it all beganChris always dreamed of a better life for his parentsand grandmother who he spent most of his formativeyears with. As a domestic worker she had very little,

but was a proud and honest role-model who madehim believe in himself and his abilities. But, what set

him apart from so many others children with dreamswas his ability to act on his dreams and make it hap-pen, if not today, someday.

I would ride in the train from Soweto to Johannes-burg and as the houses changed from matchboxstyle houses in the township to big beautiful mansions

in Johannesburg, I dreamed of one day owning abeautifully designed house with many rooms and

big lush gardens.

The contrast between the white and black peoples

areas was so stark that as I got older my desire tochange this led to me becoming a political activist.While at school I became part of the movement and

in 1976 my school, Morris Isaacson High School, wasat the forefront of the Soweto Uprising.

Lucky breakDespite oppressive apartheid laws and thinking, Chrisfound immense kindness at the hands of a number

of white people. They ultimately helped to shape hisearly years and ultimately led him to understand that

people, life and business are removed from politics. It

also taught him to judge people by their actions anddeeds rather than by race, class or classication.

As a schoolboy he was singled out by an elderly whitelady that was a customer of the vegetable shop

where he was a delivery boy. Alexandra Bungey,

Business isSwinging

You know you are successful when every

day you wake up feels like living a dream.

The house youve always wanted, thecar you dreamed of and a job

where you get to do

everything you ever

wanted to.

Chris Jiyane

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


Started with a toiletChris traces his rst experience of building to the

embarrassment he felt for his grandmother whenher township houses outhouse toilet started crack-ing up and people walking past the house could

see inside the toilet.

I could not stand for it and took the little bit of

money I was earning at the greengrocer andbought the bricks and cementto rebuild it prop-erly. With no experience I rebuilt it brick-for-brick

and done the best job I could.

I am proud to say that the toilet is still standing

today more than thirty years after I built it.

SUCCESS

took a liking to him and decided to

help with his education by payingfor his school fees and buying his

school uniforms.

As a result Chris put everything into

educating himself and when hematriculated he looked at followinghis dream of building nice houses.

A chance opportunity arose whenhe spotted an advert for blackhigh school graduates interested

in a career in architecture. Hewent for the interview and alongwith 11 other students was put

onto a forward thinking programimplemented by the Institute of

Architects. During his studies hewas assigned to MLH Architectsas a intern.

Budding careerAfter graduating from Technikon Witwatersrand as anarchitectural technician his career blossomed withMLH Architects and many colleagues and mentors

began shaping his career. Chris prospered at thecompany and despite initial misgivings of some of thedie-hard white business people that a black architect

would not do as good a job, he kept his chin up andproved them wrong.

The call to build rather than just design was still strongthough. Chris eventually took the leap (and his busi-ness skills) and opened his own building contracting

business, CJB Builders. By then democracy had cometo South Africa and after landing some big housing

contracts his rst dream to build nice houses was soonfullled. The success of the company led to biggerthings and next on his list was to work on contracts

big enough to have overhead cranes on thesite. At the time that was to me the real deal,the real thing.

He used his success and, by now, considerablebase of industry contacts to found and establish

Rainbow Construction. As the CEO of Rainbowhis dream of undertaking big-scale buildingprojects became a reality and the norm. After

a long and successful stay at the head of thecompany his last move has been his most am-

bitious yet.

New beginningsI was approached to take the position atGrinaker LTA to develop new business andfurther the companys transformation and skills

development goals. The building and construc-

Rudimentary

outhouses

enraged Chris

A stark contrast existed between township

and suburban life

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


AfterspendingseveralmonthsintheFortP

ris-

oninJohannesburg,Chrisreturnedmanyea

rs

laterasthelead-contractorthatconvertedt

he

prisonintothecurrent-dayconstitutionalco

urt

alandmarkinthecountrysdevelopment

toa

constitutionaldemocracy.

SUCCESS

tion industry is at the forefront of transformation and

companies like Grinaker LTA are serious about devel-oping the industry.

My mission is to develop sustainable business based

on transformational goals and the principals mygrandmother instilled in me all those years ago,

namely good old-fashioned honest dealings andhard work.

I love my work and I enjoy dealing with a diverse

range of people from different backgrounds. Buildingis still my passion and to me the real joy of building is

when you return to a project after it has been com-pleted and occupied to bask in the glory of anothersuccessful project undertaken.

Proudly South AfricanChris lifestyle has changed dramatically from thoseearly years and he shares his elegant house in Linden

with his wife Phondliwe and children Nelisewe (19),Siphiwe (11) and Sanelisewe (2). He is a rm believer

in family values and balances family life with his ac-tive social lifestyle.

When he is not at home or working you will probablynd him on the golf course playing a deadly gameof golf with customers or business acquaintances. In

fact, golf is another of his great passions and he andhis wife are members of the Johanneburg CountryClub. He has played golf with the countrys top busi-

nesspeople, as well as South African golng legendErnie Els.

When I played with Ernie I was quite nervous andwas conscious of my game, I didnt want to look likea rank amateur. But, he is such a good guy that he

made me feel at ease and I actually learned a lotfrom that encounter.

Just like in business I play a good honest game of golfand dont believe in playing differently just because Iam playing with a customer or potential customer. If

you think you can beat me just because you hold avaluable contract in your pocket think again, laughs

Chris in conclusion.

Grinaker-LTA, Chris Jiyane, Tel: (011) 578 6200, Fax: (011) 578

6383, Email: [email protected]

Large scale construction was a dream that Chris made a reality

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


FINDING FINANCE

At the beginning of the year,

Nurcha released its nancialoutputs from its inception to the

end of last year. Lets look at theaccomplishments so far:

Successfully lending hundreds of millions ofrand to emerging contractors who do notput any of their own funds into a project,

and who provide no collateral, is Nurchasunique achievement.

The contractors receive a great deal of sup-port and back up, while keeping control oftheir projects and their businesses.

Nurcha, in association with Tusk and Sebra,manages the support to contractors ensuring

the successful completion of projects.

Nurcha offers bridging nance and a full range

of support services nationally to contractorsand developers involved in the constructionof Subsidy and Affordable Housing, Infra-

structure and Community Facilities.

In nancing successful and protable devel-

opment projects, Nurcha contributes to thegrowth of the smaller, mainly black-ownedconstruction companies. This is empowerment

as it should be: adding value; creating jobs;helping mainly previously disadvantagedSouth Africans to reap the economic benets

of the political transition.

Financefor thePeople

In the family of development financeinstitutions, Nurcha can boast impres-

sive social and economic contributions

to poor South Africans. These achieve-

ments have been accomplished through

the use of a small and limited capital

base.

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


In many instances, affordable houses are built with

a single-pitch roof where the walls are raised higher

on one side of the house to provide a natural pitch.In order to provide insulation against heat and cold,

ceiling manufacturers recommend using the exposed

beams to secure the ceilings.

This saves the cost of brandering and bat-

tens for the roof and, once the skill has beenmastered, it is easy to do. Another benet

is that a window can be added in the highwall to allow natural sunlight in to both save

the home-owner electricity for heating and provide

light.

Follow these instructions to get the job done right:

Using Exposed BeamsIn this application, the beams perform a dual function,

that of a load-bearingstructure as well as a

decorative feature. TheNutec ceiling boards,plain or textured, are

fixed on top of thebeams or betweenthem.

General GuidelinesFor xing on top of thebeams, the followingsteps should be fol-

lowed:

The spacing of the

beams must be at400mm centres or600mm centres for 4mm

or 6mm Nutec ceilingboards respectively.

The spanning capa-bilities of the board canbe increased by nailing

brandering on the re-verse side of the board

Ceilings forSingle-pitchRoofs

CEILINGS

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


at the appropriate centresbefore installation.

The beams which are thefeature of this application

must naturally be clean andstraight, as well as properlyaligned. Twisted or warped

beams will negatively inu-ence the fnal ceiling.

STEP 1Installing the board

Fix boards on top of andparallel to the beams thus

reducing the number ofvisible joints.

For cross joints use H-prole jointing strips cutto size.

STEP 2Adapting the roof

structureFix counter battens

on top of the ceilingboard directly abovethe beams.

Take care not to damage the

ceiling board when nailingon the battens.

Fix waterproong mem-

brane over counter bat-tens, allowing it to sagonto the ceiling board

between the counterbattens.

Fix battens or purlins forroong material over wa-terproong membrane

through counter battens

into the rafter.Pre-drilling of pilot holes isrecommended to reducethe possibility of damaging

the ceiling board.

Note:In cases where the roof structureand roof are already in position,

it is necessary to install supportingtimber for the ceiling. Where thespacing of the beams is within

the spanning capabilities of theceiling board, it is only necessaryto install a strip of supporting

brandering on both sides of thebeams to which the ceiling can

be nailed.

CEILINGS

A timber quadrant can beused to nish off the boardedges where they join the

beams and the H-prolejointing strip cut to size can

be used on cross joints.

Where the beam spacing

exceeds 600mm, a support-ing grid must be installed.

Everite, Tel: (011) 439 4400, Toll

free: 0861 333 835, Web: www.

everite.co.za

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


Any building contractor worth his or her salt knows that the storage and safeguarding of supplies is critical toon-time delivery without losing money to theft or breakages.

For this reason, smart contractors order stock only when it is needed no more and no less. Pennypinchers, a

leading building supplies and hardware retailer, has worked out five easy steps to remember when scheduling

work on site and ordering stock. Here is the list of what to buy when.Pennypinchers, Tel: 0800 8355 87

BUILDING SUPPLIES

Site preparation

Installation of water and electrical

connections

Installation of sewers and construction

of inspection pits

Foundation

Brick work for retaining walls

Waterproong

Incorporation of electrical conduits and

pipes for water supply

Casting of ground-oor slab

Waterproong is done strategically

using waterproof sheeting and

coatings

Walls are built from oor to roof plate

level

Formwork and proles are done

Electrical conduits and water pipes are

built into walls

Doors and window frames are built

into position

Pre-fabricated roof trusses are xed to

completed walls

Timber rafters are tted in garage

Battens / purlins are laid over PVC

membrane

Roof tiles or corrugated iron sheets

are installed

Special waterproong products are ap-

plied to roof valleys, chimney area and

vertical wall joints

Brandering and ceilings are installed

Fascia and barge boards are used to

nish off roof edges

Electrical wires for lights are drawn

through the conduits

Geyser pipe-work is completed

Internal oors are screeded

Internal walls are plasteredCeilings are skimmed and nished with

cornices

Roof insulation is laid

Electrical distribution board, light

switches, plug points are installed and

light ttings are xed

Baths, showers and toilets are built in

and plumbed

Internal doors are hung and windows

positioned

Walls are painted or tiled as required

Carpets, tiles and wood laminates are

applied to oors

Cupboards, work surfaces and hobs and

ovens are built in

Boundary walls are built

Exterior walls are plastered and painted

Guttering and down-pipes are installed

Exterior doors, garage doors and shutters

are installed and carports and pergolas

are constructed

Wood protection coatings are applied to

external wooden nishes

Sewage and waste-water connections are

made

Garden taps, water tanks and irrigationsystems are installed

External lights are installed

Phases of work

Order Supplies in 5 Steps

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


Examples of polycarbonate roof sheetingPolycarbonate roof sheets offer high durability, andas the plastic steel, it is virtually unbreakable, and

boasts high light transmission and weather resistance.It is ideal for greenhouse coverings and skylight appli-cations. Professionals favour polycarbonate sheeting

for corrosion-resistant industrial structural roong andside cladding, while homeowners favour polycar-

bonate roof sheeting for a multitude of DIY projects.Polycarbonate sheeting is available in a wide varietyof colours and proles.

Typical applications of polycarbonate roof

sheeting:Industrial warehouses

Sidelights and roof lights

Greenhouses

Do-it-yourself projects

Swimming pools

Features and benefits of polycarbonate roof

sheetingImpact resistant

Up to 90% light transmission

Long-term weather and UV resistant

Wide service temperature range

Better UV protection than sunscreens

Resistant to a wide range of chemicals

LightweightEasy to work with and install

Meets re rating requirements

The Hough Group, Tel: (011) 907 1601, Fax: (016) 366 1555, Email:

[email protected], Web: www.houghgroup.co.za

BUILDING SUPPLIES

PolycarbonateRoof Sheeting

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


You can expect to nd lateral damp where

the vertical damp-proof course has dete-riorated, is damaged or has been omittedor incorrectly installed. Some symptoms oflateral damp are the appearance of salts

crystallizing on the walls (Eforescence), aking orblistering paint and cracked plaster.

Some likely locations of lateral damp (g A)

Damp is BigTrouble forBuilders

Asanybuilderwillknow,dam

pcanbeabig

problem,especiallywhe

nbuildinginsoilwith

ahighwatertable.Oneoftheproblemsthat

isoftenencounteredislateral

dampthatcan

bedescribedaswaterforcing

itswaythrough

walls.SkillsOnSitespeaks

tothemastersof

dampproofing,FlickDamproo

fingtofindout

howtopreventitorcureit.

WATERPROOFING

In this case the damp has travelled through a wall causing dam-

aged plaster on the interior

If theres a problem with the vertical damp course

you might nd cases of lateral damp Where the ground is a lot higher than the

damp-proof course

in showers and baths

in split-level constructions

in basements

around plastered plinths

in ower boxes.

Treating lateral dampLateral damp is treated by tanking that is, stripping

the plaster off the bricks applying a cement sealantto the bare bricks to prevent damp penetration andplastering with damp-repellent cement in combina-

tion with silicone injection, where necessary, to ensurethe prevention of rising damp (Fig B).

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


Other Typical Cases of Lateral Damp

WATERPROOFING

Plastered PlinthThe plinth brickwork is the part of the wall betweenthe ground and the damp-proof course. This brickworkis usually good quality face brick. Bricks below the

damp-proof course are always wet, but this presentsno structural problem. The problem occurs if the plinth

is plastered. What happens is the moisture is trans-mitted through the walls to the exterior. The result isdamaged and eforesced plaster.

Flick, Tel: (011) 882 8933, Fax: (011) 882 0320, Email: info@ick-

dampproong.co.za

Showers and baths

Breached damp course

Stepped oor levels

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


SITE CLEARING

Use the following information to determineyour site clearance requirements. Pieter

van Schalkwyk of Renico Plant Hire givesus some guidelines to consider before

running out to hire equipment that maynot be able to do the job effectively. He adds that

it is always better to get a professional opinion if youare in doubt.

Hiring the right machinesfor site clearing

When

faced

with a site

that needs to be

cleared, there are a num-

ber of points to look out for to

ensure you get the right machines

for the job.

Grader To clean the grass off a medium to large site

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


SITE CLEARING

To demolish small structures, clean small sites, and load the spoil onto trucks

Excavator To demolish structures and to load the spoil onto trucks

To clean an undeveloped site

(no structures):

1. Work out the square metres ofthe site.

2. Multiply the square metres by0.12m to get the cubic metres

of spoil. The spoil being thegrass, shrubs and soil.

3. Determine the percentagebulking factor. Thepercentage is determined by

the condition of the site(grass, rocks, additional

rubble on site, etc).4. Multiply the cubic metres of

spoil with the percentage of

the bulking factor to get thetotal of spoil.

5. The cubic metres of spoil isthen multiplied by the rate toremove the rubble to get to a

cost.

The rate is determined by the

amount of spoil, type of spoil,dumping fees, type of

machines and trucks used,distance to the dump, etc.6. The rate for the machines to

clean the site is added to theend price.

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


SITE CLEARING

Front end loader To clean medium to large sites and to load the spoil onto trucks

5. The cubic metres of spoil is then multiplied withthe rate to remove the rubble to get to a cost.

The rate is determined by the amount of spoil,type of spoil, dumping fees, type of machines

and trucks used, distance to the dump, etc.

6. The rate for the machines to demolish thestructure is added to the end price.

ExampleHouse: 40m x 40m = 1600m2

1600m2 x 1.6 = 2560m3

2560m3 + 5% bulking factor = 2680m3

2680m3 X R120 per cube = R322 560.00

R322 560.00 + R5000 (machine)

= R327 560.00

Renico Plant Hire, Pieter Van Schalkwyk, Tel: (011) 794 1177, Fax:086 602 4961.

Example:Site: 100m X 50m = 5 000m2

5000m2 X 0.12 = 600m3

600m3

+ 10% bulking factor = 660m3

660m3 X R85-00 per cube = R56 100.00

R56 100.00 + R5000 (machine) = R61 100.00

To demolish a structure:1. Get the square metres of the structure.

2. Multiply the square metres with 1.6 to get thecubic metres.

3. Determine the percentage-bulking factor. Thepercentage is determined by the condition of

the structure (thickness of walls, type of structureetc.)

4. Multiply the cubic metres of spoil with thepercentage of the bulking factor to get thetotal for the spoil.

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010

32/40

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


WinnerNehemia Netokolola is our lucky prize winner. He isemployed in the technical trades and the magazine

will contribute to his continued success. Nehemiaand two of his friends will each receive a one-yearsubscription to Skills On Site.

WIN A PRIZE(Closing date for entries is 15 May 2010)

Answer the following easy questions in the spaceprovided. The answers are found in the pages in

the magazine. There is only one winner and the

person will be contacted personally to collect

their prize at the ofces of Promech Publishing in

Blairgowrie, Randburg.

All correct entries will be placed in a box and a

winner chosen. The judges decision is nal.

FAX YOUR ANSWERS TO:Promech Publishing on Fax: (011) 781-1403,

P O Box 373, Pinegowrie, 2123

NAME: .....

TEL: .....

In what year did PPC establish its Jupiter

factory in Germiston?

___________________________________

___________________________________

_________________________________

How was Mablomong School built?

___________________________________

__________________________________

_________________________________

What is the rst step to paving

correctly?

___________________________________

___________________________________

_________________________________

In site clearing what is a grader used

for?

___________________________________

__________________________________

_________________________________

What prevents cable breaks in the Bosch

GBH 3-28 DRE?

___________________________________

___________________________________

_________________________________

Theres a new hammer in town that is per-

fect for builders. The new GBH 3-28 DFR

Rotary Hammer is a professional tool for

professional builders with 20% more chis-

elling power and 20% less vibration thanother rotary hammers in the 3 kg range.

WIN THIS VALUABLE PRIZE!

Estimated retail Price R4 395-00

1

2

3

4

5

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


IN TOUCH

The David Rattray Foundation has a rm beliefin providing sustainable solutions to disad-vantaged schools by ensuring maximum

community investment and engagement. TheMablomong School Project uses traditional

African-inspired architecture and design in order to

capture the pride of culture and to promote com-munity engagement, with the

intention of developing a costeffective and proud model forschool construction. The project

provides school infrastructure

that is perfect for teaching pupilswithin the connes of a traditional

farm school in the Randfonteinarea on the West Rand

Education and skills levels inRandfontein remain low, with

the most recent statistics fromthe Randfontein Municipalityestimating unemployment at

around 41%, while at least 24%of the population has not com-pleted primary schooling.

Spirit of UbuntuCommenting on some of thebenets of the project, the AvengGroup human resources direc-

tor Juba Mashaba said, Thisproject shows the true spirit ofUbuntu. We have witnessed a

signicant level of communityinvolvement in this project, whichhas seen an administrative block

built for the pupils, along witha sustainable skills transfer tothe local population. The proj-

ect involved the training of 22formerly unemployed people

in the rammed earth build-ing model. It also enabled 11teachers at Mablomong School

to incorporate these methodsinto their curriculum, with thisproviding practical teaching to

365 learners.

Speaking on behalf of the David

Rattray Foundation, Rob Tayloradded, This project providessignicant community and envi-

ronmental benets. The rammed-earth method uses different types

of mostly locally-mined soil toerect a building. This ensuresthat the use of cement, which

Green School LaunchedIn line with its commitment to building a lasting leg-

acy, leading infrastructure group, the Aveng Group

recently launched a community school project in

conjunction with the David Rattray Foundation.

Children play outside the newly-completed Mablomong School

Happy mothers of children who attend the school

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


involves high carbon emissions, is minimised. Given

the poverty levels in this area, this cost-effective, low-maintenance method of building provides jobs andSETA-accredited skills development to the most needy.

Furthermore, the design means that the buildings arere and pest resistant. They are also energy efcientbecause the heat captured from

the sun during the day is radiatedback out at night as a source of

warmth.

Expanding nationwide

The next step in the MablomongProject is to build a media centre thatwill include a library and computer

centre, at the Mablomong School.Other divisions within the AvengGroup will also get involved in due

course. Grinaker-LTA, for instance,will offer construction planning skills,

while E&PC will provide water savingand waste management solutions.The Aveng Group and the David

Rattray Foundation plan to expandthis project nationwide. Another

similar project is also on the cardsfor KwaZulu-Natal.

Aveng Group, Kim Heller, Tel: 082 867 8344,

Email: [email protected]

IN TOUCH

Celebratory dances were the order of the day

The building reects a mixture of modern and traditional techniques,

such as the thatched ceilings

Chris Jiyane, business development and transformation director of

Grinaker LTA was the master of ceremonies at the ofcial opening of

the Mablomong School

A special plaque was unveiled for the opening

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


Crown Mines Primary School, LanglaagteTechnical School and the University of

Johannesburg are the main beneciariesof Concors vision, which is to uplift the

quality of life among communities whereit operates.

We want to grow a partnership principle when se-

lecting projects, explains communications manager,Sue Upton. Building relationships with people has a

big effect on the results as we become personallyinvolved with people and forge bonds of trust andcooperation. We encourage communication through

formal meetings and informal encounters as well asthrough regular phone calls.

Providing spaceCrown Mines Primary, which dates back to 1938, is

situated opposite Concors head ofce. After lengthy

Schooling OurChildren

IN TOUCH

Concor, South Africas leading engineering, contract-

ing and construction services group, is focussing onupliftment of education in two public schools which

have long been starved of resources. The group is

also assisting a local university.

talks, Concor began upgrading the buildings, repairing

the roof, renovating the ablution blocks and paintingthe classrooms. One of the most pressing needs was

for an additional classroom, continues Sue. But wewent a step further, providing a large Portacamp

which comprises one large and two smaller rooms,and the school was able to turn this into a library,a staff room and a kitchen. We also constructed a

storeroom and laid paving on the school groundsand at the entrance

Each year, Concor also sponsors the top learner inGrade 7, securing a place at the Langlaagte TechnicalSchool for this person to continue his or her second-

ary education. Concor also provides fees, uniform

and stationery. We also get involved in the schoolscelebrations, adds Sue. We fund the prize-giving,

supplying trophies, medals and certicates.

CooperationThe Langlaagte Technical School has seen the addi-tion of three new classrooms and the refurbishment

of three more. We sub-divided the old mechanicalworkshop to create a fully equipped computer centreand two standard classrooms. One storeroom was

converted into a classroom and an old masonryworkshop into a technical drawing room. All theclassrooms were tted with ceramic tile oors,

suspended ceilings and light ttings.What is particularly rewarding about our work

with these schools is the marvellous co-operationwe receive, Sue points out. The staff really goesthe extra mile to get the utmost out of their facili-

ties, and work with us in trying to provide the bestpossible education for the children. For instance,

the principal at Langlaagte purchased a softwareprogramme which is improving the childrens read-ing and writing skills by leaps and bounds.

In addition, Concor awards a bursary to the toplearner to attend the University of Johannesburg

(UJ) to read for a degree in civil engineering. Wesponsor the prize-giving ceremony at Langlaagtetoo. At both schools, we provide the ofcial sta-

tionery as well as certicates.

At UJ, Concor appropriately works with the engi-

neering faculty, funding certain activities such aseducational tours.

Each of the seven divisions within Concor alsonurtures its own specic social investment project.Wherever Concor is awarded a contract, the

relevant division will identify a need within the com-munities where the work is situated and ensure thaton termination of the contract, the division leaves

a lasting legacy. This could be a classroom, a clinicor a number of individuals with new, practical skills

they can put to use immediately.

Concor Group, Sue Upton, Tel: (011) 495 2288.

Learners at Crown Mines Primary School

The new Portacamp classroom setup at Crown Mines Primary

8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010


8/7/2019 SOS: Apr 2010

40/40

Regional offices:: 011 214 8700

DURBAN: 031 562 0068

EAST LONDON: 043 726 0615

SUBSIDY HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE AND

COMMUNITY FACILITIESAFFORDABLE HOUSING

If you are a developer or contractor who

has been awarded a tender in the

following categories:

a) Subsidy housing;

b) Infrastructure (e.g. roads,

water and

sewerage reticulation,

drainage etc);

c) Community facilities (e.g.

schools, clinics etc);

or you are involved in

d) Affordable housing,

and you need bridging finance to start

your project or you need performance

guarantees, please contact Nurcha.

Bridging finance and supportfor your construction project

SOS: Apr 2010

Documents